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Damon DeVries of the Giants was safe on second base against Jace Winefield from the Reds in the minor league title game. The Giants won the championship 13-7. Photo by Wayne Nicholls

Little League all-star teams announced

Jun 28, 2013 - By Bruce Tippets, Sports Editor

Riverton has put together two Little League all-star baseball teams for postseason play.

Riverton will have one 9- to 10-year-old all-star squad and an 11- to 12-year-old team.

Scott Fabricus has been selected to be the manager of the older team.

Jim Hinkle will guide the younger team.

The two teams were announced Thursday night after the championship games.

"We are very excited," Riverton Little League president Jason Muehler said. "The selection process was very difficult just due to the fact that we have some kids that can play baseball."

The older team has 14 players on the roster. The younger team has 13.

"Their skill level has improved over the years," Muehler said. "That is why this year we are taking 14 all-stars in the major league division. It just goes to show how many players have improved this year."

Fabricus was the manager of the Rockies in the Riverton Little League major league division.

Hinkle guided the Reds in the minor league.

"The coaches are fantastic," Muehler said. "I think that the kids did a great job in choosing the coaches. It speaks well of their abilities."

Riverton will host the double-elimination district tournament July 17-20 at the Ron Saban Baseball Complex.

"There is a lot of work to do," Muehler said. "We need a lot of help in doing districts."

Teams in the two age divisions in the tournament are Riverton, Bridger Valley, Cody, Lander, Powell, Kemmerer, Green River and North Big Horn.

"Going to a true double-elimination tournament is a good way to go," Muehler said. "If you have a bad game, then you can always come back around. It's a very good format that the district has put together."

The top two teams from each bracket advance to the state tournament in Laramie.

Older squad

"The all-stars are going to be a lot of fun," Fabricus said. "We have a lot of talent. We have several kids that can flat bring it. Pitching and defense wins it."

"I think that our team is very solid," manager Hinkle said. "We have a very good group of kids that are good athletes. They have a very good chance of reaching our first goal, to qualify for state." Travis Draper and Rich Lange are the assistant coaches. The team is made up of players from the Giants, Reds, Cubs, Yankees, Rangers, Nationals and Royals of the minor league division.